HoopsHype.com Rumors

Kahn hopes to re-sign center Nikola Pekovic and forward Chase Budinger, both of whom become free agents on July 1, and persuade Andrei Kirilenko to return for the second year of his two-year contract. St. Paul Pioneer Press

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Chase Budinger 

Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger wants to return to the team next season if an agreement can be reached this summer, but as with any contractual agreement, there’s a bit of fine print. That is, if Rick Adelman returns to coach. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman 

“I would like to come back,” he said. “I like the organization. I like the staff. I love Adelman.” He saved the most important part for last there. “That’s a big part of it,” he said about the coach who taught a second-round draft pick in 2009 the NBA game. “Our relationship, he knows how I play. I work well in his system. It’s [Adelman’s decision] going to weigh big.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman 

Adelman said before Monday’s home finale against Utah that he hopes to decide his future in the few weeks after the season ends Wednesday night in San Antonio, and after he and his wife, Mary Kay, meet with more doctors about how to prevent her seizures. “I think there are questions,” Budinger said when asked if he thinks Adelman will return. “He has always been family first and, with his wife it’s going to be family first. But knowing him, he loves to coach. He loves this team. So it’s a tough decision for him to leave.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Coaching, Chase Budinger, Rick Adelman 

Budinger played 17½ minutes backing up starter Andrei Kirilenko at small forward. “A lot better than what I expected,” Budinger said afterward. “I was still a little nervous attacking the basket and I got tired legs there, especially in the second half. But all in all, the knee felt good out there. I felt my wind was pretty good, more my legs just getting tired out there. You saw that with me shooting an airball.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Chase Budinger continues to work out hard with coaches and said it's possible he could make his return Thursday at Sacramento, IF he comes through his first 5-on-5 practice Wednesday feeling good. "It all depends on how I practice," he said before tonight's game, adding he's moving better and his conditioning is coming along but that there's no substitute for playing in games. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Wolves forward Chase Budinger was cleared for full-contact workouts in a phone call with Florida surgeon Dr. James Andrews Tuesday. That means his return is near, but a date has not yet been set. Andrews performed surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee Nov. 13. “We had a call with (Andrews),” Budinger said. “We told him what I’ve been doing lately, telling him I’ve been progressing well. He was pleased with that and said I could go into the next phase of doing contact stuff.” Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Jerry Zgoda: Budinger will talk w/ surgeon James Andrews by phone next week, hopes that clears him for practice and then a game return in 2 -3 weeks Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Ray Richardson: Encouraging sign for Wolves: Budinger elevating on jumpers after shootaround this morning. Been out since Nov 10 with knee injury. Twitter @Twolvesnow

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Forward Chase Budinger will see a doctor on Wednesday and will likely be accompanied by president of basketball operations David Kahn. It's at that point, per the source, that a definitive timetable will be set for his return. The source said that Budinger is pushing to return sooner than expected. Originally, the idea was he would be out until early March with a knee injury. 1500ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Jerry Zgoda: Adelman on Budinger: "He tells me he'll be back in March, so we'll see." Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee in the game against Chicago on Saturday and will have surgery sometime this week, the team announced Sunday. The team did not announce when Budinger is expected to return to action. Yahoo! Sports

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Chase Budinger will miss the next three to four months while recovering from surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee. Oklahoman

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Jerry Zgoda: The Wolves could ask NBA for an injury exception to add a player without waiving anyone, but it doesn't sound like they will do so right now Twitter @JerryZgoda

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

The Timberwolves announced Sunday that forward Chase Budinger suffered a lateral meniscus tear in his left knee after falling in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game in Chicago. Budinger traveled with the team to Dallas on Saturday night, and he underwent an MRI Sunday that revealed the damage. His surgery will be scheduled for later this week, and the team will determine a timetable for his return afterward. Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injuries, Chase Budinger 

Joan Nielsen: The Timberwolves are hoping to schedule an MRI for Chase Budinger for today in Dallas. Twitter @JoanNiesen

Minnesota Timberwolves, Injury, Chase Budinger 

Wolves forward Chase Budinger, an unrestricted free agent next summer, on the prospect of staying in Minnesota long-term: "I can definitely see myself here (long-term). It's a great city. You can already see how good the fans are here. ... I'm excited for the season. 1500ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Chase Budinger 

There has been no dialogue between the Wolves and wing Chase Budinger's camp about a contract extension. Budinger will be an unrestricted free agent next summer. 1500ESPN.com

Minnesota Timberwolves, Free Agency, Chase Budinger 

"Actually, in the past few weeks I think they've done a great job. I like who we've added with Brandon Roy, with Chase Budinger, with Andrei Kirilenko now — some veteran guys who know how to play," Love said. "It's really going to help us. Now, we just need to get Nikola Pekovic healthy, get Ricky (Rubio) back healthy. If we don't fight the battle of attrition like we did this year, we have a great shot to make the playoffs and get better from there. USA Today

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, Nikola Pekovic, Andrei Kirilenko, Kevin Love, Brandon Roy, Chase Budinger 

Another unseen development in Williams' offseason was the addition of Chase Budinger, whom the Timberwolves acquired from Houston on June 26. Budinger played at the University of Arizona from 2006-09, and though he never overlapped on a team with Williams, he does know him well. Williams began his tenure at Arizona during the 2009-10 season, Budinger's first in the NBA, but he was recruited when Budinger was on the team. "I remember playing pick-up with him when he was a freshman there," Budinger said. "I was just amazed at his athletic ability and his rawness to the game, but he's made strides every year and he's gotten better and better. He's an extremely good athlete and his shot is getting better. He's a big guy. He's going to be fun to play with." In Budinger, Williams will likely have an advocate along with a friend, and the familiarity between the two can't hurt. It's not a game-changing acquisition, but a familiar face never hurts. Fox Sports North

Minnesota Timberwolves, Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams